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Original poster

Fitbits are they worth it?

31 replies

ilovespinach · 19/07/2020 08:51

I've been on a diet since mid May. Lost 7kg so far. All good. Still a far bit to loose before I'm in the healthy bmi range.

I've been tracking my steps on my phone and I try to hit 12k a day. It's a pain always having my phone with me and the app is really draining the battery. I think I'd like to get a fit it to help keep me motivated.

Would be interesting to hear feedback from anyone who uses a fitbit. Is it helpful?

OP posts:
UncleShady · 19/07/2020 08:58

I've just had a 10 minute conversation with my DH about his and its inability to record the correct amount of deep sleep he thinks he's having. Even going as far as comparing his sleep records with mine. Don't even start me on the stairs...

I had a Fitbit and moved onto a Garmin as the battery will last a week-10 days vs 2 days for the Fitbit. The Garmin records all sorts like menstrual cycle as well, and whereas the Fitbit would beep at me if I sat down and Garmin is a little more cultured. I think either is more effective than a phone, and although I'm not recording my swimming laptimes or using it as a proper user would, its very good for doing steps while I use it as a watch.

CatsGoPurrrr · 19/07/2020 09:38

I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 and now a Charge 3. Love it. I wear it all the time. I think it really helps to focus the mind on how much (or little) moving/exercise you do. I also really like the fact hat it monitors my heart rate and sleep. Definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.

Mayvis · 19/07/2020 09:40

Every single person I know who has had a Fitbit has had it break within a year or often sooner.

It’s usually replaced but then the replacement breaks too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness General health Weight management
Branleuse · 19/07/2020 09:43

Ive got a huwaei honor band and i love it. It got higher ratings than the fitbit in the which tests and is only about £25

AlexaShutUp · 19/07/2020 09:50

I have a fitbit charge 2 and I love it. Have had it for around 3/4 years and it hasn't broken yet. Same for my dd's and the ones that we bought for my parents.

I am sure that they aren't perfectly accurate but it is convenient to use and it definitely motivates me to move more and be more active. It even motivates me to get more sleep! I wouldn't be without it now.

SistemaAddict · 19/07/2020 09:55

I've got a fitbit charge 3 and I LOVE it. Being stuck at home it's encouraged me to move more and do more trips up the stairs and it has finally synced itself with MFP so it's helped me track everything. You can set goals and it gives you badges for achievements which is motivating too. I got a helicopter award the other day for 500 lifetime flights of stairs. And a penguin match for 112 lifetime km. I got it 3 weeks ago and wish I'd got one sooner.

EssexGurl · 19/07/2020 09:58

Never had a Fitbit break but did lose one! Battery lasts a week for me and has done for over a year. I find mine makes me focus on moving, breathing, anxiety levels and sleep. Generally it makes me more aware of my body and how I am treating myself. Definitely worth it. But get one with a heart rate monitor.

radioband · 19/07/2020 10:01

I’ve had a Fitbit charge that the dog ate but it lasted years, I’ve now got a charge 2 that I’ve had for about 3 or 4 years, it’s great because it motivates me and I can do challenges with my friends. Mine lasts about a week before it needs to be charged.

Lemonadestrawberry · 19/07/2020 10:01

Yep had mine over a year and it’s still going strong!

Sunnydaysrock · 19/07/2020 10:06

I have a Fitbit flex and it's great. I feel really guilty if I don't hit my target (normally only on rubbish weather days like this!). Keeps you aware of the benefit of moving more often. It's really cool to see how far you walk on days out etc too. Definitely worth it.

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 19/07/2020 10:07

I had a Fitbit charge 2 and the screen went weird but Fitbit customer service was excellent. They offered to replace like for like or 50% off a different model. I chose the Versa and I absolutely love it. It had a better wristband as the Charge 2 was giving me sore spots on my wrist if I wore it for more than a few days which kind of defeated the purpose of counting steps. The Versa doesn't aggravate my skin at all, the battery lasts a week and it can be used for loads and not just counting steps. Honestly I think it's great.

Icedlatte · 19/07/2020 10:07

I have a Fitbit versa, I got it just before lockdown and at first was gutted that I'd spent (to me) loads of money on something I couldn't use. However it has proven invaluable during lockdown, it gives my son and I great motivation to walk further, as it's so tempting to get to eg 8000 steps if youre at 7600. All those extra steps soon add up!!

I also use my fitness Pal, and I love that the two connect, so my MFP shows a calorie adjustment depending how active I've been and how many calories I have 'earned back'.

I have always struggled with diet and excersise, but turning them from abstract concepts where you just have to try 'really hard' to tangible, measurable things that show me at a glance what I have achieved on any given day is a total game changer for me

ClattyPat · 19/07/2020 10:09

I have the most basic fitbit as I only want to track my steps and it's great. I don't bother wearing it at night to track my sleep.

WobblyLondoner · 19/07/2020 10:12

I was a Fitbit fan until they discontinued the versions that aren't worn on your wrist (Fitbit One & Zip). I don't like the look or feel of the wrist ones and from the one period when I used one a wrist one I thought they were much less accurate than those you clip on elsewhere (though I can see they are much more convenient).

Carlamity · 19/07/2020 10:13

I have a Fitbit One, which is a very simple old model which you clip onto your belt. Now only available on eBay I think. I love it and find it motivating to move more. I have lost one before so you need to make sure the holder is tight and secure.

I don't get on with the ones you wear on your wrist, as they seem to make my bones and muscles ache in that arm. This is a known problem with Fitbits if you look on their forums.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/07/2020 10:13

Recently got a Fitbit. I'm very overweight. It's been great for my motivation. It reminds you to move every hour for example. I've gone from about 6000 steps to day to 12-15000 steps in a few weeks. I like analysing my workouts as well. I can record what I've eaten on the App too.

SlinkyStairs · 19/07/2020 10:13

Just a gimmick and walking is probably the least effective form of exercise anyway.

RozHuntleysStump · 19/07/2020 10:23

Apple Watch is better. I threw my fitbits away. They just didn’t work and I bought the expensive ones.

cariadlet · 19/07/2020 10:26

I've had a fitbit for a couple of years. It was second hand from ebay but I've never had any problems with it. I like all the features but am a bit obsessed with tracking my resting heart rate to see how much fitter I'm getting.

Saladd0dger · 19/07/2020 10:30

Had mine charge 2 nearly 4 years. Wore it for about a year or so. Got bored of it and give it to dh. Dh has a charge 2 also and about a year in his heart monitor stopped working so it wasnt recording his sleep

trinity0097 · 19/07/2020 10:33

I find mine motivating to get me to move. It buzzes at 10 to if I haven’t done 250 steps in the hour to remind me to get yo and move. I then generally am motivated to get up and jig about.

It records too many flights of stairs as I think I move my non dominant hand too much!

IHeartKingThistle · 19/07/2020 10:37

Honestly, I had to take mine off because it was messing with my head. I got it when I was having a period of ill health which maybe wasn't a good idea. Maybe you have to have a certain mindset to find it motivating but I quickly became much too bothered about my heart rate and sleep cycle and stopped listening to how I was actually feeling.

I felt like Frodo taking off the ring when I got rid of it Grin

wintertime6 · 19/07/2020 10:38

I got a Fitbit charge 3 a couple of months ago and it's definitely great to keep you motivated. I can see my resting heart rate decreasing over time and I like that it analyses your sleep. If you have friends who have a Fitbit then you can have challenges with them which often motivates me to get out for a walk in the evenings to get my steps up! I'm rubbish at drinking water and I'm definitely drinking a lot more now that I'm logging when I have a glass of water.

Haretodaygonetomorrow · 19/07/2020 10:42

They’re good motivators if you spend a lot of time sitting/ resting, and it’s encouraging to see the step count increasing. Definitely not 100% accurate, arm movements often get counted as steps.

TheSmallAssassin · 19/07/2020 11:34

I've worn a Fitbit for getting on for 5 years now, I Iove it. I use it mainly for step counting, though I do use it to track my sleep and use the weight tracking in the app. I like the way that it links up to MyFitnessPal and I know how many exercise calories I can eat.

I had a Fitbit One and as others have said, I like to use it in a clip - I think it's more accurate on my bra, so when the battery on my One went, I got an Inspire - you can use the non heart monitoring version in a clip (though you have to buy the clip separately) @Carlamity @WobblyLondoner

I do find it motivating and it really supported my weight loss (I lost 19kg - pretty much three stone), I can definitely eat more on days when I get steps in.